September 26.—A great battle was fought on the 19th and 20th at Chickamauga River—a victory for us. Alas! what scenes of horror does not even the word victory bring up before us!
Major Jewitt of the Thirty-eighth or Thirty-sixth Alabama Regiment is among the killed. He was an eminent lawyer of Alabama. Captain O’Brien of the Twenty-fourth Alabama Regiment is also among the killed. He was from Mobile, and a better or braver man we have not lost. He was by profession a lawyer. When the war broke out, he enlisted as a private in the Third Alabama Regiment. After serving with it in Virginia for some time, was elected Captain of the “Emmet Guards,” a company composed of men from the “Emerald Isle.”
God pity his heart-broken and desolate mother. I am told the Twenty-fourth Alabama Regiment suffered severely. General Helm of Kentucky and General Preston Smith are killed; General Hood lost a leg (the second time he has been wounded); General Adams is wounded and a prisoner. We have many men here who knew General Helm personally. They deeply mourn his death, and say the country has lost one of its bravest—a true patriot and soldier.
Major Richmond was killed while carrying dispatches for General Polk. Thus has passed away a Christian, a soldier, and accomplished gentleman. He was one of the noblest of men.
“‘T is glorious for our country thus to die;
‘Tis sweet to leave an everlasting name—
A heritage of clear and virtuous fame.”
Captain Hammond, a brother of Mrs. Johnston, was killed. He was in one of the Georgia regiments.
Generals Polk and Hindman are both suspended for disobedience of orders. General H. is in this place, and is slightly wounded.
I have been a good deal worried about my brother. I went down to the train one evening to ascertain something about him; Miss C. D. and Miss M. C. accompanied me. There were quite a number of ladies at the depot.
